Good morning from Recife, Brazil. I am here to speak at a Reformed Theology Conference and am glad to be among friends—friend I made while traveling through this area last year for my Worship Round the World project.
Today’s Kindle deals include a few interesting books about the Christian life. Remember also that some of the best commentaries and theological resources you can get are on sale for Kindle for another few days.
Westminster Books has a deal on what they are calling their Advent Devotional of the Year. They have lots of other seasonal products on sale with it.
(Yesterday on the blog: Would It Be Better to Take a Pay Cut Than a Church Cut?)
7 Reasons I’m Thankful for My Pastor Dad
I enjoyed reading Barnabas Piper’s list of reasons that he is thankful for his father. So many of us grow in gratitude for our parents as we get older and begin to understand them better.
Why We Should Expect Witnesses to Disagree
J. Warner Wallace explains why we should expect eyewitnesses to disagree with one another at times. He writes, of course, to defend the veracity of the scriptures.
Bobby Lee Calls Jesus’ Teaching ‘INSANE’—Here’s Why He’s Wrong! (Video)
Tim does such a good job of helping others understand why videos like this one are misguided.
The Meaning of Book Endorsements
Douglas Groothuis explains how book endorsements work and how they should work. “Why buy a particular book? We answer that partly by finding who wants us to buy the book. We check the endorsement, which are found in one or more places—front cover, back cover, and opening pages. Some authors do not need endorsements, since they are industries in their own right … Lessor mortals court endorsements. But what should we make of this practice? What does it really mean?”
Sing to Remember: God’s Gift of Musical Memory
“During Violet’s last year, I visited her every Tuesday with my Bible in hand. She neither recognized me nor recalled any words I read to her. But whenever I sang ‘Amazing Grace,’ she joined in, warbling just as she had for so many years in the choir.” Kathryn Butler looks at research that tells why musical memory remains even when so much else has gone.
Prepare Yourself Before Receiving Critique
Ryan offers some useful counsel on preparing yourself to receive critique.
Flashback: When Jesus Says Stay
This man had encountered Jesus in a life-changing way. So Jesus told him to stay. Stay where you are, find your friends and neighbors, and tell them what the Lord has done for you.
A preacher’s life should be a commentary of his doctrine; his practice should be a counterpart of his sermons.
—Thomas Brooks
